COVID-19 UPDATES
The updated COVID case numbers, graphs, and demographic information for today are not yet available. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Yesterday, Public Health reported 74 new positive cases of COVID-19 (19,554 total) and 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (720 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 1 (2,225 total). If these numbers continue, this is encouraging news!
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of Saturday, August 30th, the total number of positive cases was 74,320. Total number of deaths statewide was 1,905, and total hospitalizations were 6,740.
Detailed information about demographics of those who died from COVID-19, as well as on rates of hospitalization, is available on Public Health’s data dashboard.
COVID UPDATES
New state Department of Health (DOH) report shows some parts of state hitting a plateau
A new report issued by DOH on Friday finds that the number of new COVID-19 cases is hitting a plateau in certain areas of the state, and there is even a slight decline in some areas.
However, the report finds that the reproductive number (how many new people each COVID-19 patient will infect) remained close to one as of mid-August. The goal is a number well below one, which would mean COVID-19 transmission is declining.
The report also found that while some counties (including Clark and King) are seeing plateaus, others are experiencing decreases (including Benton, Franklin, Pierce and Yakima) or increases (including Grant, Lewis and Walla Walla).
Outbreaks continue to occur across the state, including in Walla Walla County (at the Washington State Penitentiary), Whitman County (among off-campus college students), and Kitsap County (at a hospital), highlighting our continued susceptibility. To read the DOH press release on the report, click here.
Expanded free testing in south King County
Two new free COVID-19 test sites will open in south King County over the next two weeks. The drive-through sites located in Renton and Auburn will increase access to testing across our community.
Clients will not be charged for testing. Bring your insurance card and driver’s license if you have them. No one will be turned away if they do not have insurance or a driver’s license. Language interpretation available at testing sites. People are strongly encouraged to pre-register at the websites below to save time and speed up the testing process.
Auburn site: Opening Sept. 1, 2020 / Hours: Monday-Saturday; 9:30a.m.-4:30p.m.
2701 C St SW, Auburn, WA 98001. Located at the East side of the General Services Administration (GSA) property along C St. S.W.
Register for appointments at the Auburn location.
Renton site: Opening Sept. 8, 2020 / Hours: Monday-Saturday; 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
805 SW 10th Ave. Renton, 98057
Register for appointments at the Renton location. (Registration for appointments at Renton will open on Sept. 5).
If you need help with registration, call the King County COVID-19 Call Center (open seven days a week, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.), at 206-477-3977.
Testing location information for sites across King County is available at Public Health’s testing location webpage.
Free behavioral health symposium: September 8th and 22nd
 Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash
 The Washington state chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) has been hosting bi-weekly discussions for young people and their families on COVID-19 and behavioral health topics. Two more sessions remain, on September 8th and 22nd.
Participants include representatives from state agencies, community service providers and other community members. Register here in advance for the meetings. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
The Vera Project providing COVID-19 support to young musicians, artists
The Vera Project is supporting the arts and music communities by providing referrals, resources and support to those struggling due to the pandemic. They are asking those needing assistance to fill out a brief survey to help staff identify the best resources. A staff member or volunteer will get back to you with suggestions for aid, referrals to external resources, and/or direct support from VERA.
They have also launched a web store selling merchandise and 100% of all profits will go directly to COVID-19 aid for the foreseeable future.
JUSTICE UPDATES: RACIAL, ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, CRIMINAL
Thanks to Native advocacy organizations, King County homelessness data will be more accurate and effective
The Seattle Times reports on an important change in King County’s data collection on people experiencing homelessness in this article. Following several years of advocacy from Native organizations, the County will begin including accurate tribal affiliations, rather than simply designating an individual as “Native American” or “Alaska Native.” This more accurate data will be entered in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and will help organizations better connect people with support and resources.
Major league sports gets involved in anti-racism struggle
 From King5.com
King 5 reports on Seattle sports teams that are protesting the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin and showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement. According to King 5, “Last week, the Seattle Mariners did not play against the San Diego Padres after agreeing "unanimously" to postpone the game and the Seattle Sounders followed suit. Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll canceled the team's practice Saturday following a passionate speech about racial equality.” (His speech is not to be missed.)
Also, see the following articles in The Seattle Times:
- Seahawks cancel Saturday practice as coach Pete Carroll says his players ‘are living scared to death’
- ‘We demand change’: Fear, anguish over Jacob Blake shooting transforms into action as sports stand still in America
Reminder: Census deadline is September 30th!
 Complete the census by September 30th and make sure everyone in King County counts! If our community is undercounted, we will not have equitable funding and a fair and full voice in policy and decision-making. We must be counted to be represented.
Counting people through the census is also how funding is distributed where it’s needed for the next ten years—for things like our schools, affordable housing, hospitals, and public transportation.
Visit 2020Census.gov to complete the census or call 844-330-2020.
OTHER UPDATES
Council meets tomorrow, will take up Executive’s proposed Fourth COVID-19 Emergency Budget
The Council will take up Executive Constantine’s proposal for the Fourth COVID-19 Emergency Budget tomorrow at 1 p.m. This is a virtual meeting and public comment is welcome. A copy of the agenda and meeting materials, as well as instructions for viewing the meeting and submitting public comment, can be found here.
The proposal for the COVID-19 emergency budget includes funding from the federal CARES Act and the state for the County’s continued response to and recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. As Budget Chair and lead sponsor of the legislation, I will be speaking to my striking amendment that includes Council additions to the Executive’s proposal to enhance funding for needed relief and recovery services, and we will have some line amendments to consider.
National Nordic Museum in Ballard will reopen this Friday
The National Nordic Museum is getting ready to reopen on Friday, training staff in new safety protocols and getting the facility ready to accommodate physical distancing and other COVID-19 precautions. Visitors will need to reserve timed tickets in advance. More museums in our state are in the process of reopening, which should be helpful to parents, teachers and students during this time of at-home and online learning! I’ll be including information on other museums in upcoming enews editions.
Additional helpful and informative links
- Yes, you can get your kids to wear masks. Here's how. – National Geographic
- Great-grandmother beats coronavirus after five months in hospital and rehab – CNN
- Is COVID-19 growing less lethal? The infection fatality rate says ‘no’ – Stat News
- Explainer: How common cold viruses are being used in vaccines from Russia, China – Reuters
- Six million coronavirus infections now confirmed in U.S., a country in limbo – NPR
- How to interpret King County’s latest coronavirus numbers – Seattle Met
- Seeking a foundation for change at the crossroads of homelessness and COVID-19 – KUOW
- Why WA leaders aren't rushing to address state's budget shortfall – Crosscut
- Debate over protest tactics during Seattle demonstrations exposes deep divides – The Seattle Times
- Washington students surveyed their peers. Here’s what their answers tell us about online learning, socializing and mental health. - The Seattle Times
- Domestic abuse survivors worry as WA detains more inmates at home – Crosscut
- The shooting of John T. Williams, 10 years later – Seattle Met
- Why the future of work might be ‘hybrid’ - BBC
- Black Americans worry postal changes could disrupt history of secure jobs – NPR
- Here’s what pregnant orcas are up against in Puget Sound – Crosscut
- State police returning to Portland following deadly shooting – Seattle PI
- King County exec's new climate plan proposes building code updates – Puget Sound Business Journal
- Data omission in key EPA insecticide study shows need for review of industry analysis - UW News
Today’s moment of inspiration
Crisis response therapy dog helps California firefighters deal with stress of wildfires
 From CNN.com
CNN reports that Kerith, a two-year old golden retriever and certified crisis response therapy dog, has been visiting firefighters in Marin County. She provides much-needed “morale boosts” to firefighters on break from battling wildfires in the state. Kerith also has her own instagram page.
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my updates, which I’m sending out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - - and sometimes more frequently. Feel free to forward them to others who can subscribe by clicking here. And you can click here to visit the archive page where you can find all of my previous enews updates.
|
